Truth (Part 3)

by J. Drain, Derby, U.K. | Category: Truth | May 1984

We find illustration and example concerning God's purpose in relation to divine testimony in its collective, conditional expression in God's dealings with the children of Israel. The account of their redemption from Egypt's bondage and their separation from Egypt by baptism unto Moses is well-known. When they reached Sinai the Lord made clear that His objective was not merely their deliverance from sorrow, suffering and judgement. He redeemed them so that they could enter into conditional covenant relationship with Him and be constituted His people, His kingdom, His nation, and, as a people governed by His law, could render the collective service of a worshipping people. The focal point of this service would be His house, His temple which according to His instructions they would build for Him. And so we see the divine purpose expressed in a people saved and separated to serve in collective capacity in the place of God's choice, His house.

Our understanding of New Testament rev~ elation leads us to believe that in the present dispensation an essential part of the truth is that it is the will of God that those who are saved by His grace should through obedience be brought under His government. This will mean that as baptized disciples they will be gathered together in churches of God, the total of which, as already mentioned, forms the house of God.

Ephesians chapter 2 supplies an impressive presentation of the range of divine purpose. It first reminds the disciples in Ephesus that in spiritual experience they had received life, salvation and the assurance of eternal bliss. These experiences involved manifestations of divine power, love, mercy and grace. There was something more. Between the Jews and the Gentiles there was a great barrier that led to deep and bitter enmity. That enmity was itself a symptom of the worse enmity that existed between both Jews and Gentiles and God. But in Christ by reason of His cross-work there was being accomplished a reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles in their joint reconciliation to God in one Body, the Church. This was an amazing organism - Jews and Gentiles fellow members of one Body. However, something more than all this was included in the truth of God's revelation. Those saints in Ephesus had been brought together for collective testimony and service through "being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Eph. 2:20). As we have already observed, their teaching gave to Christ the place and claims of His lordship, His all authority, His right to command, His entitlement to obedience. This is something different from truth relating to the Church the Body.

We raise one question to emphasize the implication of what we are saying. If a believer in Christ has not been baptized in water as commanded by the sovereign Lord can it be said that that person has been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets? That he is in Christ is not doubted and therefore that he is in the Church the Body is not questioned. But being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets will certainly demand the response in baptism which is an acknowledgement of the authority of the Lord who commanded it.

We do not suggest that baptism is the only facet of divine truth to be examined in relation to the foundation of the apostles and prophets, but we use it to illustrate. If to the question posed the answer is No! it follows that the person alluded to, though in the Church the Body of Christ is not with those who are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Towards the close of the last century the minds and hearts of many students of God's word were exercised about the significant and considerable distinctions which they observed between the purpose of God which was being fulfilled in the formation of the Church the Body and that aspect of truth which had to do with the gathering of disciples in churches of God to constitute the house of God. There could be many churches but in the unity of divine purpose there was one house. This exercise led to the publication of the magazine called Needed Truth. In this magazine articles were published to give prominence and emphasis to truth relating to the house of God, its services and its government. Articles on other subjects were also carried. But it was felt that what had been revealed concerning the house of God was indeed needed truth.

Today the truth of the house of God is still needed truth. It has been neglected or rejected by the majority of believers. It is our desire that this magazine will continue to bear clear witness to the truth of God's house and will with equal clarity testify to the spiritual behaviour that is proper to the house. It is a serious wrong to engage in any activity that would weaken the structure of the house of God. It is just as wrong to indulge in conduct that is contrary to the character of the God of the house. "If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy" (1 Cor. 3:17).

J. Drain, Derby, U.K. | May 1984
Truth